One of the best things about being a professional athlete is that we can take so many of the lessons we’ve learned from our coaches throughout the years and pay it forward to younger players that are trying to follow in our footsteps.

As you continue your athletic endeavors, “leveling up” takes a lot of work and discipline. Whatever sport you’re playing, you have to stay focused on those skills and be prepared to take advantage when a door opens for you.

On and off the field, dairy delivers. Whether you are a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, dairy foods provide carbohydrates needed for energy, electrolytes for fluid balance, and calcium and vitamin D for strong bones.

Monique Smulders, dairy farmer from the Texas panhandle, has several loves in her life: dairy farming, her family and swimming. Monique is always on the go, but she isn’t just an athlete on the moo-ve – she keeps a whole team moving.

Electrolytes – they can be key to your victory on the field or achieving a new personal record on race day. Ensuring optimal performance is a balancing act of just the right amount of these power particles – but choosing milk as a post-recovery workout beverage makes achieving that balance easy.

As a team captain, defensive lineman Tyrone Crawford is used to leading by example. He’s joined the BUILT by Nature team at Dairy MAX to help educate athletes about proper ways to recover and rehydrate after workouts.

Time is of the essence. Sometimes, between the demands of training and the busyness of life, the convenience of a drive-through reigns supreme. Other times, opportunities arise to enjoy a meal out with family or friends.

Brought to you by Dairy MAX, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Dairy Council, funded by dairy farming families across Colorado, southwest Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, western Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. For more dairy insights and programs tailored specifically for schools, nutrition professionals and dairy farmers, visit our corporate web headquarters, DairyMAX.org.